The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-16

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conversation mad ensued between them:
II say, Gracie," said Honorable Bob, 81
wish you'd put me out Of my misery and
tell me plainly and honestly how matters
stand between u.s. You've said scores of
times that you care more for me than for
any other fellow I've sworn to you that l
could never love another, and yet I've
found out that not only are you in the habit
of meeting Smith of ours, but that you
treat him just like favored lover-in fact,
you do with him what you've never done
with me-you go out walking with him
and l can't help thinking that you're play
ing double game"
The girl seemed very much ,tojected at
these accusations, and at length hesitat-
ingly replied: "Well, Bob, I'm sorry you
have such poor opinion Of me. I've told
you that love you, and it is not likely that
l should say such thing and at the same
time be carrying on, as you term it-with
another man. But think that our attach
ment is altogether an unfortunate affair. l
know I've done wrong in encouraging you,
but have not been able to help loving you.
Don't you think that we had better not
meet any more and try to forget all that
has passed between usl"
The young officer stared in amazement
and exclaimed; "Why, Oracle, you don't
mean to say that you're going to throw me
over like this!"
''No Bob, don't want to do anything of
the sort" replied the girl; "but 1 am anx-
ious to act for your good-for the good of
both of us-really, truly and honestly, l
do. Please don't accuse me of any other
motive. Just think over our position. On
the one side there is you-heir to great
name, your father proud, rich man. On
| the other side, here am Ia milliner's shop
| girl What would your father say-what
would the world say, if you were to make
me your wife?"
| "What do l care about what the Gov
ernor or the world would say?" exclaimed
her lover. 81 am of age. My father has
| no influence over me, except to cut me out
! of his will. You're lady, Oracle; know
that, although you're IN shop and there's
no shame in that. By Jove! you've only to
turn up the directory to see how the swells
are going in for commerce, and even for
trade. For Gods sake, then, Oracle, don't
send me away. Until knew you wasn't
| up to much good although l don't mean
that | was BLACKBOARD. But since I've
| known you I've changed, and l would make
you just as good a husband as many of
those fellows who come with written char
| dCterS Ill Iuelr pockets"
Eyes, Bob, believe all that" answered
the girl "But l shouldn't be happy, even
as your wife, if was scorned by your peo-
| pie and pointed out as a cunning schemer
who had put you in a position out of which
| you could not get yourself, and saw you
left alone by all your relations and friends
because you had married girl out of a
bonnet shop
| bsWn'1 xenn NJ oo;o
said the young man. go and live quietly
| somewhere"
'But you can't get out of the way Of
your brother officers" said the girl
"Never mind about them" said Bob
''But to return to Smith. What about him'
| When know that you meet him and go
| walking with him what am l to infer?n
Oracle heSitated for moment and then,
| looking him full in the face, said: "Bob,
II tell you that you are the only man l
love in the world you would be satisfied
But l implore you to think over what
have said Toni mean Mr.. Smiths an
old and dear friend Of mine, and
"There!" interposed the young man,
''you've called him by his Christian name.
Good heavens, Oracle, what does it all
meant"
The girl did not answer, and the Honor
| able Bob, after few more entreaties and
expostulations, took himself off in rage,
vowing that he would have it out with his
brother officer before he was many hours
older.
On his way to the barracks he met Smith.
and to his surprise, the latter opened fire
at once by saying: 81 say, Topsham,
wish you'd give me ten minutes talk in my
quarters"
1--WE come on purpose to ask the same
thing of you," replied Bob, earnestly. But
you had better come into mine, as there's
less chance of being overheard"
So they turned into Bob's quarters, and
each being supplied with cigar Smith
began:
"One thing, Topsham, before say word,
must ask you to keep your temper
"Well, Smith," replied Bob, at will. 1
am afraid, under the circumstances, be
hard, but I'll do my level best. Now, then.
to the point"
"No. You must promise"
"All right then, promise''
"Fm older than you are, and I'm entitled
to give you advice"
depends upon the subject
"Well, you're in love with Oracle Clough,
aren't you?"
Eyes, l am. But what of that, What has
that to do with you? Who told youa"
81 found it out by accident-only day or
two ago. Now, do you think that you are
doing your duty both to her and to yourself
by persisting in an attachment of which
nothing can Gomez"
81 must answer with another question"
replied Bob. SIS it your business or any
other fellows to teach me my duty in case
like thisF"
"Yes, it is my duty to prevent unhappi-
ness and misery if l can, and that's why l
have asked you to give me ten minutes
talk Oracle Clough is a milliner's girl.
You are a nobleman's eldest son."
''The very words Oracle used to me, by
Jove!' said Bob to himself, feeling an i'm
pulse to lose his temper and say something
hasty; but remembering his promise in
time, he merely remarked:
"Well, what OF that?"
81 know your father, Lord Cray, we'll"
continued Smith.
''The dickens you do! That's more than
can say" replied the young man.
"And," Smith went on, she's not the sort
of man to regard such a union-and, of
course, your aiming at nothing but union
with favor.''
"No; he'd cut up Internally rough about
it, and that's why want it kept dark" said